I’ve said in multiple interviews, and even written it a few times, that we have something better over here in mid major land.

The description of why we have it better is difficult to explain without sounding overly romantic, defiant, or selfish. Now, it is better for all three of those reasons. Anything that is special has a little bit of romance, defiance, and selfishness. Not too much, but a little.

There is the uber-American notion of rooting for the underdog. There is the karma of working hard to attain goals without the national media following every mosquito bite. There is the quiet, almost imperceptible, respect fans give one another. We may hate the other guy, the rival, but we are all in it together.

Sure, the whole term “mid major” is clunky but we need to call our lives something. This fits, and it isn’t worth arguing. Smaller minds can debate the cutoffs.

Mostly, mid major basketball is better because we get to do things. We get to have a little fun.

We get Charles Jenkins video blogging his junior season.

We get this guy at Old Dominion running sprints and haranguing Blaine Taylor.

We get quality from Matt Janning and Shaka Smart on Twitter.

How many coaches do you know would ask somebody from Germany if he is famous or dress up as a hot dog vendor?

And we still have a media day coming on October 20 where you can sit down and chat with coaches, all who are approachable. Think these things are done at the major level? Perhaps, but I guarantee they are more sterile.

What else do we have? Let me know and we’ll talk about it.

It’s the main reason I feel mid major basketball is better: we get to have fun. Put another way, a 24-8 season with a first round loss in the NCAA tournament is joyous, not a bummer.

We aren’t missing out on anything, thank you.